Novatel MiFi 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot (Sprint)

by Novatel Wireless

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.5 x 2.4 x 0.5 inches ; 3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B004W7PSOU
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Take your hotspot with you and use almost anywhere on the Sprint network - no more endless cups of overpriced coffee while scanning for sluggish WiFi hotspots. With a MiFi 3G/4GMobile Hotspot by Novatel Wireless you can get internet access for you and yours on any Wi-Fi-enabled device on the go-all from a device smaller than your wallet. And with NOW built in, you will always be able to connect to the dependable Sprint 3G or 4G network.

Constant Connection, Instant Web Access

When paired with a Sprint 3G/4G connection plan, the MiFi is designed to handle both the bandwidth and data volume of up to five email/browsing users simultaneously. It is the perfect wireless solution whether you just want to connect quickly, or if you want the flexibility of being able to configure security. The Web user interface also gives you access to location-based points of interest and weather.

Have available internet access anywhere, all from a device smaller than your wallet. View larger An on-device display screen shows important status icons such as signal connection. View larger

Compatibility. Universal Wi-Fi makes the MiFi Mobile Hotspot compatible beyond just a notebook. Connect and sync data to such devices as cameras, music players, personal media players, mobile phones and portable game consoles.

Ready-to-Connect. There's no software to install to use the MiFi with your devices. Easy online configuration to manage your connected devices. (Note: Your device will be set up on your Sprint account at the time of purchase.)

MicroSD Slot. Create on-the-go shared network storage for up to 5 connected devices with the MiFi's MicroSD slot. The MiFi supports MicroSD cards up to 32GB.

GPS Capable. Use your MiFi for autonomous and simultaneous GPS using GPS Navigation for turn by turn directions, and points of interest searches.

WiFi Connectivity. Connecting up to 5 nearby devices is easy with MiFi's extended WiFi range of up to 33'.

Sprint Mobile Broadband Capabilities. With the evolution to EV-DO Revision A, users in markets where this technology is deployed will experience faster average download speeds of 600 kbps - 1.4 Mbps and an average upload speeds of 350 - 500 kbps. Download speeds depend on area network coverage.

Reliable Security. MiFi employs CDMA wireless technology authentication and identification system for top-notch security. The Mobile Identification Number (MIN) and Electronic Serial Number (ESN), together with CDMA spread spectrum technology, make it virtually impossible for unauthorized users to capture and decipher over-the-air messages and other sensitive information.

What's in the Box

MiFi 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot, AC charger, USB cable, 1530 mAh battery, protective sleeve.

Technical Specifications

• Dimensions: 3.54" x 2.36" x 0.52"
• Weight: 3 oz.
• Battery Information: 1530 mAh
• Usage Time: 4 hrs
• Standby Time: 60 hrs
• Compatibility: Supports Windows, Macintosh, and Linux operating systems

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Work very well, May 8, 2011

By 

DoctorCartoon "AK" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Novatel MiFi 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot (Sprint) (Wireless Phone)

I opted for this one versus the verizon due to the lower price point and the options on the device. I am aware that verizon has a faster network at times but 50 for 5 gigs is too expensive if you ask me.
What I like most anbout this model is the options to turn off the gps thru the admin settings and setting it to 4g only or 4g preferred. I happen to live and an area that is 4g regularly thus I have no issues I have made phones calls, facetime calls, watched hulu and netflix on this without a problem.
The battery life is much better than expected as well with the gps set off and setting it to 4g only I get a little over 5 hrs and some change.
It is very light to carry and not turns on easily, I have had no over heating issues.

As for the negative, ity really only has one and that is the upload speed is slow, but it is not horrid, and for unlimited I can tolerate this.

The major problem I see is that COMCATS/XFINITY have just announced this same device for 25 dollars, sure its 5 bucks more. but the monthly fee is only 40 dollars and offers all the same features on the same exact network used by sprint.

SO if your thinking of getting this and have comcast check it out with them as the contract with them is only 1 yr versus the 2 yrs I signed with sprint. Do i regret it. it is a yes and no, theis stuff happens all the time and if you love gadgets an technology you have dealt with it before. What does suck is that sprint knows this and can offer the same price if they so chose.
But have yet to do so.

As for the device I used this with. I primarily use it with my ipad2 and laptop and xbox when home.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Device works well, VERY frustrating on/off button, Sprint 4G was more like Zero G, July 29, 2011

By 

Technologist "Neil" (San Francisco Bay Area) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Novatel MiFi 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot (Sprint) (Wireless Phone)

I travel around the Bay Area every day and wanted to be independent for my Internet access.

I'm an existing AT&T customer and wanted to add (so called) 4G Wifi. AT&T don't currently offer 4G but as I found out AT&T 3G is actually about equivalent to Sprints 4G most of the time.

Despite realizing from reviews that Verizon are fastest, and T-Mobile will eventually have the fastest, I ended up trying the Sprint because of the unlimited 4G. I turned it on and was delighted to see a full set of bars of 4G signal. But the speed I got was typically about 300kbps and as low as 10kbps up and latency of >250ms, very slow. I called Sprint and fairly quickly reached a surprisingly helpful and knowledgeable lady (certainly beating my typical AT&T experience). She did whatever they do at her end and suddenly I was up to about 1.8Mbps and 300kbps up. Much better. But still very long latency times and the lady claimed there was no reason why I shouldn't be getting much faster speeds. She decided the unit wasn't working properly and gave me an RMA number to exchange it.

The new one performed about the same, about 2Mbps was the most I ever saw and only in one location. Typically it's more like 300-700kbps down and 10-350 kbps up. And the Sprint Internet seems VERY sluggish even if the speed tests at the sprint site give OK results.

So I then decided to try the very similar Novatel unit from Verizon. Again, full set of bars, and consistently gets 3 to 6MBps down, and at least 1.5Mbps up. The peak up and down speeds I saw were 12Mbps!

I carried both around the bay area for about three weeks. Here's what I found.

Verizon has 4G almost everywhere I went, often including deep inside buildings. Sprint has large area's where there is no 4G.

You can force the unit into 3G only or 4G only through configuration. MOST OF THE TIME SPRINT'S 3G IS FASTER THAN THEIR 4G!!! But only the 4G counts in the unlimited data plan!

Two key places where I most wanted the Verizon unit to work only got 3G service. However, forcing their unit into 4G mode got excellent speeds at both places (> 3MBps). It seems the 4G works very well even with low or no bars of signal showing.

The sprint unit has an extremely frustrating on/off switch. I found I couldn't turn the unit on if it was on the charger. You have to hold the switch down for a few seconds to turn it on and off. It often doesn't seem to respond (it takes several seconds to switch off) and you get lost not knowing whether it's on or off. Very few devices I've experienced have frustrated me as much as this. Although the Verizon unit is similar, it behaves much better and does let you turn it on while on charge (although I notice the signal level often drops when on charge).

I eventually returned the Sprint. The service is unacceptably slow, 4G is not real (at least not around here). It only worked reasonably well at one location, my home (and only after a phone call), and still the surfing experince is VERY sluggish. In comparison, once I forced the Verizon to 4G only, it worked very well, always has at least 3Mpbs down and 1.5Mpbs up, usually more. Surfing is more snappy and responsive than with my home 12MBps cable (I think due to the slow DNS servers of my cable service). The fact that a phone call to support can INCREASE speed dramatically makes me suspect that they are limiting speeds at the towers and can control the speed you get.

One tip, if you want this to serve as the WAN connection to your home router, purchase a NETGEAR WNCE2001 Universal Internet Adapter. It was easy to set up and now the WiFi can act as a backup for my home (wired and wireless) cable internet service.

My star rating is for the combination of the unit with Sprint service. If I had to rate both I would give Sprint 0 or 1 star for their 0G 4G service, and the unit two or three stars (frustrating on/off and no use while on charge but other than that the unit works well just has awful Sprint service).

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible product, July 20, 2011

By 

Techygirl - See all my reviews

This review is from: Novatel MiFi 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot (Sprint) (Wireless Phone)

I have been using an air card for years but travel for work and wanted the ability to connect to multiple devices at the same time......computer, iPad, printer etc. This is one of the worst products I have ever used. The battery life lasts less than 10 minutes if it's not plugged in, the signal will disappear at random and the unit gets very hot. I purchased the unit through Sprint whose customer service leaves a lot to be desired. I would check with Verizon, AT&T, Tmobile on their service plan. I would highly discourage anyone from buying this model.